Adoption FAQ’s

What is the difference between a male and female? Does one gender act differently?

Females: Females are actually the alpha gender of the gerbil species, and the colony leader will always be a female. This alpha (meaning “first” or “top”) gerbil is the only female in the group that may breed, and she has ultimate power over the other gerbils. Most females are a bit more active than males, so this may be entertaining to owners who enjoy watching their gerbils quite a bit. Because females want to dominate, they take longer to warm up to a new gerbil friend – particularly another female – so any introduction must be made with particular care. Otherwise, the differences between male and female gerbils are minor.

Males: Believe it or not, the male genitalia are quite noticeable in gerbils older than four or five months. Unlike in some other animals, these external organs are fairly large in proportion to the gerbil’s overall size and easily visible to the naked eye. For this reason, a male gerbil may raise questions in young children. If a family is not comfortable with getting into a “birds-and-bees” conversation, then a female gerbil is a better choice. Behaviorally, males are generally laid-back.

Declanning: “Declanning” is essentially a form of bullying that can arise among cohabiting gerbils, both male and female. A gerbil that engages in such behavior may fight to the death to remove the “offender” from its clan. Interestingly, male gerbils build up slowly to a fight, starting by showing dislike for the target gerbil, which attentive owners can catch quickly and remedy before the situation escalates. Females are known to very quickly turn on each other, ending in a sudden fight for dominance that could be fatal to one or both animals if not caught in time. Thankfully, declanning is rare and can be prevented by owning gerbils that are related and have grown up together, or by being careful to introduce gerbils carefully and keep the gerbils’ living environment extremely consistent.

How many gerbils should I get?

Single: It is much better for the gerbils to be adopted in pairs as opposed to individually. While an owner may not want the responsibility of a second pet, the “extra” cost and care required is negligible. Gerbils are very social and can suffer when isolated, becoming depressed or otherwise deteriorating in health. A lone gerbil requires much more attention, so it is actually in the owner’s best interest to adopt a gerbil partner at the same time. In fact, Gerbils Gems feels so strongly about this that it is our policy not to adopt out a single gerbil to anyone other than a registered AGS member or an adopter who wants a friend for a gerbil that is already owned.

Pairs or Groups: Some gerbils enjoy living in a colony of three or more; however, it is best to set up such a group of all males. This is because females will fight drastically for dominance in groups of even two or more if not given the proper amount of space to live in. A 30 gallon “breeder” aquarium tank is recommended if you plan on keeping 3-6 females, or 4-8 males, in one tank. Otherwise both males and females should do well in a 20 gallon “long” aquarium tank in groups of three or less. A 10 gallon tank is also suitable for 1-2 gerbils of either gender.

What kind of living space should my gerbil live in?

Glass Aquariums: Hands down, the ideal habitat for any gerbil is a glass aquarium with a screen lid. A glass tank is not only more sanitary but far safer for a gerbil’s health. They are much easier to clean, sanitize, and upkeep. Other habitrail style cages (described below) are prone to being destroyed by the gerbil and you would frequently need to buy a new one. They also provide the most options for customizations. You can choose your own type of water bottle, food dish, wheel, huts, toys, and other accessories to add in.

Habitrails: Metallic wire and plastic cages are not good for gerbils either. Gerbils are more active than mice or hamsters and will eventually push their bedding, nesting material, and sometimes food or waste out through the cage, causing a mess and an annoyance for the owner. Both plastic and metallic cages require more cleaning and have less space for bedding, making it hard for gerbils to burrow, which is an important behavioral instinct that gerbils must indulge in. Plastic hamster Habitrail-style homes are cute and clever but are not good for gerbils. Hamsters and gerbils are very different creatures. Gerbils like to gnaw, and chewing on the plastic is not only annoyingly noisy, but it can also pose a health threat. Ingesting plastic particles can have dire consequences for a gerbil, causing discomfort, serious illness, or even death. On the less dangerous side is the possibility of a gerbil chewing right through the habitat and escaping! Furthermore, plastic housing is difficult to clean and has poor ventilation, which is likely to lead to an odor problem that neither the owner nor the gerbils will appreciate.